patti
So, it is the end of a busy week here in beautiful Asheville, NC. Earlier a video of school kids here made the national news and my was a hornet's nest stirred. I've watched and listened to the local voices since the vid was revealed and now I have a thing or two to say myself.

The teachers, administration, and local school board have all with one voice said this video was a 50 some second clip of a 30 min or so program presented by the kids last February. Word is there was no fuss at the time and I know the video was on line a little while before someone, somewhere took note. The program is said to have been on important people in American History, and their most famous quotes or phrases (other examples said to have been included were Amelia Earhart and Abraham Lincoln). It is also claimed that the part on Obama was simply a celebration of his great accomplishment and the grand step forward our country has made in race relations and moving beyond "the racist past" of our country.

Many people here have complained about the negative response of conservatives to this video, saying that the children were very proud of their program but now are frightened and confused by the furor. It is also claimed that security at Sand Hill Venable Elementary School had to be beefed up due to threats made against the school and the children. If you try to find the vid on Youtube now you will either find the video has been removed, or the children's faces have been blocked. I am glad this last has happened, not that any of the kids could be identified by anyone but those that know them anyway, not that any of us would even want to identify them.

So now my thoughts on the subject.

1) Even if the program was a far reaching program on famous Americans, their achievements and quotes, it was way out of line to include a sitting president in their program, no matter who that president may be. Including a sitting president, by its very nature, is political in content. If the school wants to do a similar program the February after Obama leaves office, fine - he would then be part of history, not a part of politics as it currently exists. Under no circumstances was it appropriate for the children to be made to perform in this manner at this time. The teacher, or whomever wrote this program including political content should be called on the carpet and disciplined in some suitable manner (don't ask me what that might be because I said suitable and anything I could come up with might be considered anything but suitable)

2) Using children, your own or worse yet those of others, to project your political opinions is disgusting at best - beyond the pale in a teacher and see #1 above for how it should be handled.

3) Anyone threatening these children in anyway should be stripped naked and flogged in public. The children here were total innocents in every way. Any parent who was aware ahead of time what was to be quoted by their child in this program, and who did not do something about it, should be similarly flogged.

4) Of course the children were proud, not necessarily of the Obama part of their program, but because they practiced, prepared, and presented a program to their parents (this was a PTO- PTA type - program). Children love to be on stage, give programs, be applauded - and the only way they would be confused about it all now is if the grown ups who are supposed to be protecting them have somehow drawn the children into the furor. No way they would be at all aware without adults dragging them into the fray.

5) Of course people have reacted negatively to the video. First of all, many if not most of us understand that these children are being indoctrinated, brainwashed, and used. And, many if not most of us find this more than simply distasteful. When we have seen the singing praises to Obama video from the school in NJ, the prayers to Obama video courtesy of the Gamaliel Foundation, and the infamous address by Obama to our school kids complete with website of classroom ideas - you know, I don't need to list - It goes without saying it wouldn't take much to raise our hackles, and the video from SHV was plenty enough to do just that, so take your self righteous condemnation of our reaction and shove it. Those of you who are liberal teachers, administrators, and school boards bring it upon yourselves. Perhaps you should think before you use our children for your puppets.
13 Responses
  1. Mrs. Who Says:

    I don't share my personal politics with my students. Ever. In fact, during the Bush-Kerry election, a student had one pro-Bush parent and the other was pro-Kerry. They each thought I was 'for' their candidate because of what their child relayed of what we discussed in class. That is because I spoke of positives for EACH candidate in class (in general terms, of course). I have another set of divorced parents this year who each think I'm on 'their' political side. And you know why? Because I'm on the KID'S side. Any teacher who USES kids to further THEIR personal political beliefs is wrong, wrong, wrong...it's an abuse of powers.


  2. Mrs. Who Says:

    PS...I'd love to visit the Asheville area...it's absolutely beautiful. I passed through there many years ago...wish I could make it back someday.


  3. patti Says:

    You come, you gotta place to stay - just say the word :) We'll even feed you, any and all of you! All you need is time and gas money.


  4. p Says:

    BTW, Mrs Who - you know I addressed that to those who do not do as you do - right?


  5. Joanie Says:

    You and Mrs. Who are right on the money with this. The kids worked hard and should be proud of their presentation. The teachers, on the other hand, should have put far more thought into the content and should not have let their politics come into play.

    My son and I had a long talk yesterday (in between his version of every Free Credit Report dot com commercial possible...that kid is a commercial sponge...which also reminds me that most kids are and that's why it's so distressing that some teachers use their classrooms to indoctrinate the kids). Anyhow, we were talking about the president and what it means for us as a country to be respectful, even if we disagree with his actions...ESPECIALLY if we disagree with him.

    So many people have forgotten that politics is so much more than a popularity contest. I wish they'd stop to think before they speak, before they act, before they impose their views on children who have been entrusted in their care.


  6. I don't think there's anything to add to this post or discussion except a hearty Amen.

    Politics is as personal as religion and should be relegated to the mere mechanics of the facts, not emotional editorializing. In other words, teaching about government should be a dry exercise in learning the framework. Too boring? Then don't let kids who can't pass 12th grade vote.


  7. patti Says:
    This comment has been removed by the author.

  8. patti Says:

    try again ergg - having troubles today...
    I refer back to the citizenship test posted low these many moons ago - if a person can't pass that he/she shouldn't be allowed to vote! If a person can't read, it should be read to them - not a literacy test - just a very basic knowledge of America test. Ya know - there are 50 states, not 56!


  9. diamond dave Says:

    I'm especially in agreeance with item #3. Regardless of how we feel about the misguided teachers and administrators who allowed this presentation and it's political ramifications, we must keep in mind that these kids are nothing more than innocents only doing what they were told to do. And they should rightly be proud of a job well done, even if the theme was misguided. Those that would threaten these children have no place in any civilized society.


  10. p Says:

    Pretty much Dave. But seriously, I don't honestly believe any true conservative would ever threaten these kids. I believe the threat is being at best, shall we say - exaggerated? WE do not threaten children, THEY do. This town has had threats and signs in poor taste created by the other side in the past. Then they stand and point, blaming us for their work. Honestly, this happens here fairly regularly, we have some nasty Obama youth types. We call them Trust - afarians. Rich kids who come here to "live like hippies" all the while without an actual care in the world as mama and daddy back home pay their freight. This is an odd town.


  11. Jody Says:

    Great conversations on this topic so I'll not say much there. But why didn't I know you were in Asheville, NC? I was just there a week ago...

    With just my bit of exposure to Asheville and their pride of being the "little blue dot in a red state" I don't think they consider it a mistake to include Obama- I'll just refer to #1 in your post and leave it as that.


  12. p Says:

    We do have an odd and eclectic mix here. Not sure what draws them, but draw them we do...
    Hate we missed an opportunity to meet, Jody!


  13. pamibe Says:

    Totally agree, though I'm late to the party. ;)


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